I never understood why Ernie shot was invented. Until I learnt it myself and discovered it’s impact in the game.
I was very lazy to give Ernie a serious try but one day during a casual match I faced opponent who hit few Ernies and took away the game from me.
So finally I understood that one more skill that I’m going to need to level up is Ernie.
And I want you too to do the same.
This article will help you to up your skill with Erne shot. Let’s dive in.
What is Erne Shot?
First thing first – “what is Ernie?”
The Erne shot is a quick volley which is hit from just over the corner of the kitchen and placed into your opponent’s court.
Erne Shot is named after early Pickleball player Erner Perry. He invented and popularised this shot.
Key characteristics of Erne shots
- Erne shot is executed by leaping from NVZ over the corner of kitchen
- Player must clear the Kitchen line before and after the leap
- The ball is volleyed in mid-air
Why is Erne needed?
You can’t volley from NVZ area. With Erne, you can hit the ball from above the NVZ area without actually stepping inside.
You still hit a legal shot and probably score a point if executed properly. Ben Johans and Anna Leigh Waters are often seen playing this shot.
It is easy and effective shot if you want to experiment more than dink or drop shot, if you can execute it at the right timing. So how do you know the correct timing to hit Erne?
How to Execute the Effective Erne
There are four aspects for successful execution of Erne shot: Positioning, The Jump, The Volley and The Timing
Let’s look at them one by one.
1. Positioning
First thing is the right position for executing Erne shot. Here’s how you position yourself
i. Stand at the middle part of your side if playing doubles and position near middle dividing line in case of singles
ii. Move sideways and laterally towards the sideline, don’t step inside the NVZ.
iii. Anticipate the opponent’s shot(I’ll explain this one later in this article)
2. The Jump
The jump completes 40% of Ernie.
i. Make sure you jump forward and sideways. While jumping and landing, make sure no part of body is in contact with NVZ.
ii. Knees should be bent before the jump and ensure you land with knees bent only. It will provide necessary suspension to your legs without hurting you.
3. The Volley
i. The ball must contact with your paddle when you are still in air, i.e., after jumping and before landing.
ii. Hit the ball with maximum power, this gives your opponent little time to react.
iii. Target at the opponent’s feet, backhand and or open areas.
iv. Get back into neutral position as soon as shot execution is completed.
4. The Timing
If jump completes 40%, then the Timing is 50% of the Erne Shot.
i. Remember this, whenever you see the opponent approaching towards middle line, that’s the perfect timing for executing Volley.
ii. Don’t be too quick, wait until the opponent hits the ball and immediately get into action
iii. The ball must make in contact with paddle when you are still mid air.
How To Use Erne Shot For Best Outcome
The Erne can be executed ideally during cross-court dinks. You can intercept high, slow dinks that are arcing toward the sideline.
Attacking shallow or high returns lacking pace or depth will give you best results.
During doubles, coordinate with your partner to force a predictable shot, such as a lob or angled dink. Of course you need to practice it together first.
Pro Tip: Use a wrist snap while hitting the ball this will add spin and make it even more challenging for your opponent to return the shot.
Practice Drills Erne: For All Skill Levels
Level 1 Drills: Beginners
i. Volley high balls from the sideline without jumping to understand positioning and timing. Stand just outside the NVZ sideline. Have a partner feed high, slow balls.
ii. Volley 10 consecutive balls without jumping, focusing on paddle angle and foot placement.
iii. Use light weight paddles (weight under 8.0 oz) for quicker reactions. For example you can try Selkirk SLK Halo (7.6 oz).
iv. Practice lateral shuffles along the sideline to develop agility. Use cones to simulate NVZ boundaries.
Level 2 Drills: Intermediate Players
i. Have a partner feed high, attackable balls to practice the jump and volley. Focus on landing outside the NVZ.
ii. Incorporate Fake Erne that let you reset for a dink or drive by disrupting opponent’s.
iii. After the shot, be quick to reposition yourself to the center. If you can’t do this quickly, Erne won’t be effective.
Level 3 Drills: Advanced Players
i. Add variations to Erne volleys. You can experiment it with deep drives, incorporating spin shots etc. to confuse opponents.
ii. In doubles, start hitting ball aggressively to create an opportunity to hit Erne. (This tactic was used during the 2025 North Carolina Open by Jorja Johnson and JW Johnson against Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters.)
iii. Attempt Erne early during the match to establish dominance. This gives you a psychological advantage over your opponent.
Common Mistakes to avoid
i. The Erne demands athleticism, Due to its nature there is an increased risk of ankle or knee injuries. So it is advisable that players should be prepared with right warm-ups before the game to reduce risk of injury.
Nike is addressing this with an intent to develop pickleball-specific shoes with enhanced stability.
ii. After the shot, be quick to return to a neutral position to counter returns.
Erne Rule Updates for 2025
The USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) clarified Erne-related rules in 2025 to address disputes in professional play:
As per the new rule “Crowding” the NVZ to intimidate opponents during an Erne attempt will be penalized. It may also cost deduction of one point for repeated violations.
This rule was enforced in the 2024 Virginia Beach Cup.
Conclusion
More advanced players (the ones with 4.0+ level) are using Erne at least once per match, as per the 2024 USA Pickleball report. It is clear that Erne has become an important aspect of advanced pickleball strategy.
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player, incorporating the Erne into your game can elevate your competitive edge. Have you faced or played Erne during a crucial game? Share your experience with us in the comments
